The court emphasized the expeditious processing of license applications under the Arms Rules, 2016.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN TUESDAY, THE 24^TH DAY OF MARCH 2026 / 3RD CHAITHRA, 1948 WP(C) NO. 4084 OF 2026 PETITIONER:

SAJEEV KUMAR T, AGED 51 YEARS S/O. SURENDRAN, THANNIKKAL HOUSE, PUTHIYARA P.O.,KOZHIKODE, PIN - 673004 BY ADV SRI.S.K.SAJU RESPONDENTS:

1 STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, HOME DEPARTMENT, THIRUVANANATHAPURAM, PIN - 695001

2 DISTRICT COLLECTOR, CIVIL STATION, COLLECTORATE ROAD, UP-HILL.

MALAPPURAM, PIN - 676505

3 ADDITIONAL DISTRICT MAGISTRATE, CIVIL STATION, COLLECTORATE ROAD, UP-HILL.

MALAPPURAM, PIN - 676505

4 DISTRICT POLICE CHIEF, DPO ROAD, UP-HILL, MALAPPURAM, PIN - 676505

5 DISTRICT POLICE CHIEF, KOZHIKODE CITY, CITY POLICE OFFICE, KOZHIKODE, PIN – 673001 R BY SR.GP SMT.SURYA BINOY THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 24.03.2026, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

JUDGMENT

The petitioner had applied for licence for Arms and Ammunition Dealership for selling sports rifles in Form No.A VIII under the Arms Rules , 2016 before the 2^nd respondent. The petitioner has filed this writ petition for a direction to the 1^st respondent to consider and dispose of Ext.P1 application, expeditiously.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader.

3. A statement dated 05.03.2026 has been filed by the 2^nd respondent, paragraph No.8 whereof read as under:

“8. It is submitted that the application filed by the petitioner is related to grant of arms dealers licence. It is for the Government to take a decision under Schedule II 7(a) and 7(b) of the Arms Rules , 2016. In these circumstances reports and related documents have been submitted to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home (F) Department, Thiruvananthapuram on 05.12.2025.”

In the light of the above statement, this writ petition is disposed of directing the 1^st respondent to consider Ext.P1 application for licence, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment.

Sd/-

MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN JUDGE SB APPENDIX PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION DATED

11.10.2021 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER IN FORM NO. A-VIII BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE PANCHAYATH LICENSE DATED 15.04.2024 Exhibit P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT DATED NIL SUBMITTED BY THE S.H.O OF POLICE, MEDICAL COLLEGE POLICE STATION, KOZHIKODE CITY Exhibit P4 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT DATED

18.09.2024 SUBMITTED BY THE 5TH RESPONDENT TO THE 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED

31.08.2018 IN CC NO. 319/2015 (PERTAINING TO CRIME NO. 655/2014) PASSED BY THE LEARNED JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT- IV, KOZHIKODE Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED

09.12.2021 IN ST NO. 125/2020 (PERTAINING TO CRIME NO. 28/2020)

Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED

28.03.2017 IN SC NO. 192/2014 (PERTAINING TO CRIME NO. 451/2013)

Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 12.01.2016 IN CC NO. 165/2014 (PERTAINING TO CRIME NO. 615/2013) PASSED BY JFMC-IV, KOZHIKOD Exhibit P9 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED

05.06.2025 IN WP(C) NO. 2163/2025 Exhibit P10 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED

30.08.2025 ISSUED BY THE DISTRICT POLICE CHIEF TO THE 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P11 A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTE PREPARED BY THE

3RD RESPONDENT ON 27.11.2025 Exhibit P12 A TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS DATED

26.12.2025 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER